Direct Acting Valves for Spray Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spray assemblies in working machines like milling, stabilizer/reclaimer, and asphalt paving machines face challenges with high flow rates of water and viscous asphalt cements/emulsions, as direct fluid actuation of valves is impractical due to reliability issues and the need for separate pilot fluid circuits.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of direct acting valves, enabled by linear solenoids, eliminates the requirement for separate fluid control circuits, allowing for direct electrical actuation of spray nozzles, simplifying the system and reducing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If direct fluid actuation of valves is used for high flow rates, then valve response speed improves, but reliability deteriorates due to impracticality with viscous fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (pilot valve system) that uses a small amount of pilot fluid to control the main valve actuation. This mediator allows indirect control of high-flow valves, overcoming the direct actuation reliability issues while maintaining fast response through the pilot fluid's rapid actuation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/fluid actuation with an electrical control system. Electrical signals trigger solenoid valves that then control the pilot fluid, which in turn actuates the main spray valves. This substitution of electrical control for direct fluid actuation improves both reliability and response speed.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate pilot fluid circuits are added for valve control, then valve control precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid control system into distinct pilot fluid circuits for each spray valve. This segmentation allows independent control of each valve with precise pilot fluid actuation, while the modular nature of separate circuits makes the overall system more manageable and maintainable despite the increased number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic pilot fluid circuits to actuate the spray valves. By using hydraulic principles with incompressible fluid, the system achieves precise and reliable valve control. The hydraulic pilot system provides force multiplication and precise positioning capability, improving control precision while the standardized hydraulic components help manage system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If pilot-controlled valves are used for spray control, then flow rate control accuracy improves, but space requirements increase due to additional fluid lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pilot valve assemblies within or adjacent to the main spray valve bodies, creating a nested or compact arrangement. The pilot fluid lines are routed through existing valve housings or bundled closely with main fluid lines, reducing the overall space required for fluid control components while maintaining precise flow rate control capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables reliable and efficient control of high flow rates and viscous fluids without the need for additional fluid circuits, enhancing the operational simplicity and flexibility of spray assemblies in working machines.
Implementation Method 1
The implementation of direct acting valves, enabled by linear solenoids, eliminates the requirement for separate fluid control circuits, allowing for direct electrical actuation of spray nozzles
Data Source
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AI summary
A spray assembly for a working machine that includes a fluid storage tank includes a plurality of nozzle assemblies, each of which includes a direct acting valve. The spray assembly also includes a controller that is operatively connected to each of the direct acting valves for controlling the opening and closing of the direct acting valves, and a selector that is operatively connected to the controller. The selector may be employed by an operator of the working machine to selectively operate one or more of the direct acting valves in order to provide a desired spray pattern of fluid from the fluid storage tank.